back sleeping?

[7115bauer]

I just hit 27 weeks today and up until now I have always slept on my stomach without any problems.  The last couple of nights though I start on my side and end up on my back with really sore hips. Should I be concerned about hurting baby when I am on my back or is this another story to scare you while you are pregnant??

[melly82]

I talked to my doc about this. You can sleep on your right or left side but back is not recommended for the reasons posted in the first comment. It reduces blood flow there for oxygen to your baby because of everything weighing down on you.

[7115bauer]

Thanks for all the help. I am trying my best to sleep on my sides but am waking up in pain from my hips hurting so bad. I guess I will ask my doctor at the end of the month what she suggests!

[Tinuha]

my midwife told me it isn't a big deal. more important that your sleeping then how and if the weight of the baby and uterus were causing your body distress you would wake up or move in your sleep.i know however it is a larger concern with women with preeclampsia since there is already a stress on your circulatory system you dont want to add to it. by all means confirm with your doctor but ive noticed everyone gets different advice from their dr.about this subject. im 22 wks and still small so my midwife said once i get bigger laying on your back wont be comfortable too. your body knows what to do.

[alid32]

Octoberpumpkin is correct. In early pregnancy is fine to sleep on your back,  but as pregnancy progresses it's not a good idea. The uterus presses on the main vena cava.  This causes decreased blood flow back to your heart from your lower body.  This can cause you to get dizzy, as well as decrease oxygen and nutrients to the placenta. I'm 26 weeks 5 days and I always find myself on my back. I have been putting pillows behind my back to help keep off.

[amokarl]

I'm 33wks the only way I can sleep some wat is on my back as long as I hv a few pillows elevating my back I'm not lying flat. In the hospital thy have u on ur back jus not flat

[GxoK]

I truly think they make the back/right side sleeping thing sound like alot more than it actually is. We aren't gonna do any actual damage to the baby. Yes we should try for our left side but our babies aren't gonna come out weird if we end up on our backs. I end up all over the place. I'd probably end up sleeping on my head if I thought it'd make me comfortable.

[angrog]

I had to prop a pillow behind me to help keep me from rolling over...it puts tough...well now as tough now as I can't breath on my back...so I don't end up on my back for long

[pregoRita]

But now that im 39 weeks its uncomfortable baby is to big she hurts my lower back when I lay on my back so now I sleep on my side with pillow between my knees and ankles

[pregoRita]

I sleep on my back alot my doctor told me it wasn't a problem

[octoberpumpkin]

You should try your best to stay off your back. When you do, the weight of baby and the uterus slows the return of blood to your heart, and reduces the blow flow to the baby. That means your baby is getting less oxygen and fewer nutrients. I put pillows in front of me and behind me right against my back to prevent myself from rolling to my back in my sleep. You shouldn't be on your back for more than 15-30 minutes.